Bruton Coach Pleased To Face Smithfield Away From Pigpen

October 26, 1990|By ERIC M. PUGH Staff Writer

YORK — Bruton coach Dave Glosson is happy that tonight's 7:30 football game against Smithfield will be played at Bailey Field rather than at Smithfield, because he believes the Packers' homefield is unsafe.

"They call it the `Pigpen' and that's exactly what it is, a pigpen," said Glosson.

Glosson said Smithfield's turf has many uneven areas and holes, including "a kind of rut that runs all the way down the field, on the Smithfield side."

Such conditions could result in ankle and knee injuries, Glosson said.

"They like their field. I don't. They'll like it until their star quarterback twists an ankle. York played there a few weeks ago and had some twisted ankles," Glosson said. "It's just not a well-maintained field, and they know that.

Smithfield coach Miles Blount, however, strongly disagreed that his squad's homefield is unsuitable for Bay Rivers District play.

"Our field is certainly not in deplorable condition," said Blount. "It's in no worse shape than any other field in the area. None of our players has ever complained about it, and none has sustained injuries caused from the field."

York traveled to Smithfield and lost to the Packers 6-0 on Sept. 28. Falcons' coach Bob Pearce said none of his players was injured on the field and none complained about its condition.

"We got physically beat, but it wasn't from the field," Pearce said.

Glosson said he last saw the Packers' field two years ago during the spring Group AA regional track meet.

"They've got a nice track," Glosson said, "the field just needs work. I just don't think they do the best job of keeping that field."

The Smithfield players have said that they love playing on their field, where they have lost only one game this season, particularly when it's drenched from rain.

Fortunately for Smithfield, they may feel right at home at Bailey tonight because according to the National Weather Service, there is a 60 percent chance of rain this morning.

If the field is slick, both teams may suffer while running timing patterns on their aerial attacks.

Smithfield quarterback Brad Parker leads the Bay Rivers District in passing with 44 completions in 97 attempts for 788 yards. Bruton's quarterback, Leon Dillard, is second in the district with 55 completions in 129 attempts for 707 yards.

"If it rains it would probably hurt them more, because they are so quick," said Glosson.